IFS Expo Rig.......Or Not??

[Cambo]

Ok,
I know most are tired of the debate on IFS Vs. Solid axle, but it appears I am at a crossroad. I had all intent to build a rockcrawler, have fun, camp a little, etc. Now, with young children I am leaning towards the occasional rockcrawl and focus more on camping. My rig is a 97 4runner and it already has a 3" susp and 2" body lift with 35's and an E-locker. I know, sounds pretty set already. For some reason I always want to be prepared for anything and feel like I may get stuck one time because I don't have a solid axle. I know this is most likely not true, so what I want to know is who has IFS and how has it been for you? The trails I want to do are mostly moderate with the occasional Rubicon thrown in. Before I spend money on a new IFS skidplate, shocks etc, I would like to hear everyones opinion! Thanks

 

[Stan the Man]

If you want flex and simplicity, go Solid. For 90% of the stuff we see IFS is perfect.

 

[Applejack]

Ok,
I know most are tired of the debate on IFS Vs. Solid axle, but it appears I am at a crossroad. I had all intent to build a rockcrawler, have fun, camp a little, etc. Now, with young children I am leaning towards the occasional rockcrawl and focus more on camping. My rig is a 97 4runner and it already has a 3" susp and 2" body lift with 35's and an E-locker. I know, sounds pretty set already. For some reason I always want to be prepared for anything and feel like I may get stuck one time because I don't have a solid axle. I know this is most likely not true, so what I want to know is who has IFS and how has it been for you? The trails I want to do are mostly moderate with the occasional Rubicon thrown in. Before I spend money on a new IFS skidplate, shocks etc, I would like to hear everyones opinion! Thanks

I once was a solid axle Jeep guy but for the last 5 years I've run IFS Toyotas only. Two '99 4Runners, and an '05 Taco. IFS can take a lot of abuse, but you just have to learn when to be easy on the front end and "take the hook".
If you pack an extra CV axle assembly, then even if you do break you've got a way out. I never have broken anything on mine but, then again I've never run the Rubicon. IFS offers a better ride, and IMO is a better all around set up and better for overland travel but, no it's not as stout as SA's

 

[Mr. Leary]

I go everywhere I want to go with IFS. With the '97, you should be able to get around 9" of travel out of the front and 16+" out of the rear. You will not do much better with a solid axle, and in my experience, IFS is more pleasant on roads, whether dirt, gravel, or paved. My only concern is tire size. 35s are big for the front axle on these trucks... over the magic number, and require some work to beef up. SA would be harder to break.

...as always. The right solution is the right one for what you will be using it for. Overlanding requires reliability. Rock crawling requires pushing you truck to its limits. They pull in different directions, and you need to figure out how much rock crawling ability you want to sacrifice for longevity and reliability.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

 

[Cambo]

Thanks guys, so far so good. All good points, expecially on the 35's. I bought the rig with them on and was actually thinking of going to 33's, but tires are expensive and these 35's only measure out to 34" overall. Which brings up another good question. I have 4:30's now, should I regear for 35's? What if I went to 33's?? Also, I recently changed the CV's and it was much easier than I thought it would be.

 

[Mr. Leary]

34 is the magic number (above = trouble, below = not so much). 4.30... probably don't need to re-gear, at least I wouldn't do it unless I was doing something else in there (I assume you are already locked in the rear!).

If it helps... I plan to re-gear to 4.56 with mine on 33s (I have 4.11), but if I had 4.30 I wouldn't. I will do this because I will be towing a trailer, and don't want to have to spin the engine really fast when I turn the O/D off.

 

[bmh]

I have tons of trails all over Colorado, I do well, but I haven't encountered anything a 3rd gen 4runner hasn't been able to accomplish. And in most instances, I would prefer the ride quality of IFS, in fact, I gave serious consideration to selling my 4runner and picking up a second or third gen (If I had any money right now)...

 

[AlwaysExplr87]

It really depends on what you want to do. Back when I had my jeep and was focused on running trails (uwharrie) I sweared by my solid front. Now my interest are completely different and I'm more interested in taking trips, exploring some backroads and camping and I love my IFS.

My suggestion is to keep the setup you have, maybe even drop the body lift and run some 33's. See how you end up using the truck and go from there. If you find yourself running the rubi and other more hardcore trails often then go with the solid. If you find yourself just exploring the backcountry and camping leave it. I've never really understood why people want to build these overbuilt rigs before they ever need it (not saying thats what your doing, and to the people who do more power to you). I think you should wheel what you have, if things start to break upgrade. If not then awesome just enjoy what you have just adjust to your needs. After all you've got to learn to walk before you can run.

 

[Cambo]

I've never really understood why people want to build these overbuilt rigs before they ever need it (not saying thats what your doing, and to the people who do more power to you). I think you should wheel what you have, if things start to break upgrade. If not then awesome just enjoy what you have just adjust to your needs. After all you've got to learn to walk before you can run.

I totally agree and am always telling people, wheel what you got and if something breaks upgrade that part. But, I always find myself daydreaming of super industrial heavy duty chromoly something or other. Must be a disease!! I do like how my rig rides and I like the steering radius and ease of steering too.

 

[iigs]

I agree with consensus here. I am of the mind that a factory sorted IFS will get you farther more often than a solid axle swap would.

I would maintain the vehicle properly (as it sounds like you're doing) and spend the SAS money on fun overlanding gear (winch, ladders, jacks, and so on). You get the practicality of something that works most of the time with the overkill preparedness of the toys.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

My IFS ExPo rig



I kid, I kid.


I love the IFS setup on my Tacoma (04 DC) and am not really interested in doing a SAS. I always said that I would do the SAS after my first Tacoma was paid off, hundreds of thousands of miles later and I just don't see it as much gain, for me. That said I wouldn't rank my Tacoma up to a comfortable 'Rubicon' level. I know it could be done and with a careful approach could be done damage free, but the Cruiser (solid axle) would be far more comfortable and less damage prone. If your mix of uses includes everything from highway friendly to the Rubicon with 35's, I'd say a solid axle is a wise upgrade and if done cleanly with quality part can result in years of trouble free enjoyment.

 

[Wonderland]

Long Travel IFS

http://www.camburg.com/xvehi4Runner.html

 

[sasaholic]

you definetly need to regear. depending on your engine size ,tranny,and supercharged or not 4.88's or 5.29. your killing your trans or clutch with those tires

 

[theksmith]

i wouldn't SAS an expo rig when there are really nice long-travel options available for IFS.

now, i'm of the mindest of the OP in that I want to be ready for anything, and I can't afford 2 vehicles, so i went with the Jeep WJ, i think the last generation of anything common in the US that is mid-sized and had a solid axle - other than the Wrangler.

however, speaking of comfort, all the times that i'm just doing a mild expo or trail and there are guys with IFS and all-terrains... well i get pretty jealous of the nice ride they have. i'm ready to air-down waaaay before they need to just to keep the ride better.

 

[datrupr]

however, speaking of comfort, all the times that i'm just doing a mild expo or trail and there are guys with IFS and all-terrains... well i get pretty jealous of the nice ride they have. i'm ready to air-down waaaay before they need to just to keep the ride better.

That is one of the biggest advaantages that I have with IFS and IRS. The washbaords are very smooth and I have a great ride. I do have some limitations, but nothing that I see as a hinderance for how I use the truck. Now with my lift I have more travel and more clearance so I just increased my capabilities. The bottom line is, build for what you are going to use it for. If you are going to be doing more light wheeling and camping, and trying to get to more remote spots, then the IFS should be fine. Just know your trucks limitations. With your current set up, you could probably run the Rubicon with out any problems. Just pick your lines carefully and go easy on the throttle.